DISTRIBUTION OF BENTHIC FORAMINIFERA AROUND SIX CORAL ISLANDS OFF TUTICORIN, BAY OF BENGAL

Abstract

Coral reef ecosystems have been subjected to unprecedented degradation over the past few decades. Disturbances affecting coral reefs include both anthropogenic and natural events. Six coral Islands namely – van Island, kaasuvar Island, kaariyachalli Island, vilaanguchalli Island, puzhivinichalli Island and upputhani Island from the gulf of mannar biosphere reserve were choosen to study the distribution of benthic foraminifers. About 169 benthic foraminiferal species belonging to 77 genera were identified. The occurrence of amphisteginalessonii and amphisteginaradiata was relatively higher.